Des Moines, IA -(Ammoland.com)- Fellow Iowans, We’ve wrapped up week two of Iowa’s legislative session, and we’re beginning to see the first signs of movement on Second Amendment issues.
A few bills, some good some bad, have already been introduced. This is just the beginning though, the Iowa Firearms Coalition along with the NRA have been working diligently behind the scenes on some very significant bills.
They will be introduced soon, when that happens we’ll need help from each and every one of you. Stand ready Iowans!
Week 2 recap:
Good news first. Representative Matt Windschitl has introduced two bills that will provide important protections for our Second Amendment rights. More specific details on each of these bills can be found on our 2015 Legislative Session webpage.
- HF45 – Emergency powers:
This bill would prohibit the confiscation of firearms, ammunition, and other Second Amendment rights during a “state of emergency” or “public unrest.” In essence this bill would keep Hurricane Katrina style confiscation of firearms from happening in Iowa.
- HF59 – Preemption cleanup bill:
This bill amends Iowa Code 724.28 which says local municipalities and governing bodies cannot supersede state firearms law, and adds a means to penalize anyone that attempts to trump the state law.
Now for the bad news. A very small contingent of anti-gun legislators have introduced a trio of bills that can best be summed up as the “Michael Bloomberg Gun Control Wishlist.” Fortunately several other key legislators have assured us the passage of these bill is highly unlikely. That’s thanks in very large part to your ongoing contact with Iowa legislators. Keep it up!
- HF70 – 10 round maximum on magazine capacity:
This bill would make it illegal to buy, sell, or trade any magazine that held over ten rounds of ammunition. Under this bill anyone caught transferring magazines with a capacity over 10 rounds would be subject to a fine of up to $6,250.
- HF76 – Barring transfer of all semi-automatic firearms:
This bill would make it a felony for anyone to buy, sell, trade or transfer a semi-automatic firearm in Iowa. Punishment would include up to 5 years confinement and up to a $7,500 fine for first time offenders. Repeat offenders would face up to 10 years confinement and a $10,000 fine.
- HF77 – Universal background checks:
Under this bill anyone selling or transferring a firearm must go through an FFL who is mandated to run a NICS background check, regardless of the relationship of the buyer and seller. Punishment would include up to 2 years confinement and a fine of up $6,250.
What you need to know:
As we mentioned, the Bloomberg Gun Control Wishlist stands very little chance of gaining any traction. Regardless of that fact we’ll be keeping an extremely close eye on their status and update you as needed.
More importantly, there’s a pair of pro-Second Amendment bills that have already been introduced but more are coming. Once they’ve all been introduced and assigned to a legislative committee we’ll put out the word on who you need to contact in order to help ensure their passage.
These bills will be very ambitious and will take a serious amount of work. We’re fully committed to doing our part, but when the time is right we will need you to back us up with a flood of emails, phone calls, and conversations with Iowa’s lawmakers.
What you can do right now:
- Call or write your legislator – tell them you’re a Second Amendment supporter and you’re keeping a close eye on each firearms bill introduced this session.
- Use our Legislative Action Center to send a pre-written email, or write your own.
- John Reed, Chairman of the Iowa Firearms Coalition Board of Directors offers some great tips on how to maximize your communications with lawmakers.
- Spread the word
- Forward this email and then follow us on Facebook & Twitter.
- Become an official IFC member
- Support Iowa’s most effective Second Amendment advocates
- Find a place to shoot
- Exercise your 2A rights!
Quote of the week:
“The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose.”
-James Earl Jones
About Iowa Firearms Coalition
Iowa Firearms Coalition is an entirely volunteer, grassroots, Second Amendment advocacy group. Responsible for bringing uniformity to Iowa’s Concealed Weapons Permitting process, IFC’s members work to protect and enhance Second Amendment rights in Iowa. An affiliate of the National Rifle Association, the IFC actively seeks to foster and promote the shooting sports. Sign up for our email list for the latest on Second Amendment issues in Iowa. You can support our work by becoming a member, or making a donation.